Victim in Puna crash identified 02-18-05

MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE

Police have identified a 25-year-old man who died Friday (February 18, 2005) after being involved in a one-car crash on Makuu Drive between 25th and 26 Avenues in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision of Puna.

The driver was identified as Michael L. Evangelista, of a Hilo address.

Responding to a 2:04 a.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined that the driver was operating a 2004 Acura two-door sedan north on Makuu Drive when the vehicle ran off the left side of the road and overturned. The driver, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the car.

The driver was taken to the Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 5:08 a.m.

Speed was determined to be a factor in the crash, but it was not immediately determined if alcohol was involved.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Because Friday’s death occurred on a private subdivision road, it was not counted as a traffic fatality for statistical purposes.